Stay at home mom in same room

[Anonymous]

Hi,

I am a nanny with a dilemma! I work with two children who have mothers who are back at work, but did not inform me that they were SAHM when I first interviewed.

Not only do they work from home, but they work in the living room where I usually play with the children. They take calls, do work, and are always RIGHT THERE.

I feel like this is affecting my capabilities as a nanny. Where I am usually singing songs, playing music, and dancing with the young babies...I now feel like I have to be quiet because they’re working less than 10 feet away. When I take breaks to eat or sit when I put both babies down, they are right there and I feel bad about relaxing for a few minutes.

It feels like I’m a teacher with the parents of my students constantly in the classroom.

How do I bring this up? There really is no alternative as I cannot tell them to find another place to work, and they both live in apartments where the only other space is a bedroom. I’m feeling like I want to quit...

[Anonymous]

First, they’re wahm, not sahm. It means they do have something to do while you’re working (so, better than sahm!), but it doesn’t change that they’re right there.

Second, I would raise the issue of needing another space now. They may be able to set up an office in the bedroom or they may choose to go the library, Starbucks, etc. Approach it both from your position of discomfort now as well as the need to not have the parent visible as the kids get older and more vocal.

[Anonymous]

By not giving you details of their work set-up prior to giving you the position - they theoretically tricked you.

The set-up sounds like a Nanny nightmare & they probably didn’t disclose this to you as you would have likely turned down the job.

I bet 99% of Nannies would.
You are correct, you cannot ask them to work elsewhere...
So since you find the current situation unbearable (as would I!), then your best bet would be to quit.

[Anonymous]

My employer works from home and is often in the same room. I was clear at hiring that I was loud, talked all the time and sang a lot. I never altered my tone or activity when she’s in the same room and it’s worked out great. If she needs privacy or to take a call, she goes into her bedroom.

I also made it clear that I would never pull her child away from her and she agreed.

I truly love my employer and like her company so it has never been an issue.

Talk to your employer and let her know how you’re feeling. Then you do you: sing, engage, dance, read, and be silly.

[Anonymous]

The situation is ridiculous. Find a new job, then quit.

[Anonymous]

I would absolutely quit. This is a nightmare job.

[Anonymous]

This parent doesn’t have a clue what she’s doing. Quit.

[Anonymous]

I'm a MB and think you should quit. That is going to be a nightmare job.

[Anonymous]

Both of my employers work from home. I take care of 2 2.5year old boys- it’s nightmare. Quit the job

[Anonymous]

Just run away. Quit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My employer works from home and is often in the same room. I was clear at hiring that I was loud, talked all the time and sang a lot. I never altered my tone or activity when she’s in the same room and it’s worked out great. If she needs privacy or to take a call, she goes into her bedroom.

I also made it clear that I would never pull her child away from her and she agreed.

I truly love my employer and like her company so it has never been an issue.

Talk to your employer and let her know how you’re feeling. Then you do you: sing, engage, dance, read, and be silly.

Your situation and feelings are one in a million.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would absolutely quit. This is a nightmare job.

.agree.

[Anonymous]

As an employer agree this is terrible. I WFH occasionally but I am in a private study and I’ve told our nanny not to change her behavior at all. If I were in your employer’s situation I would absolutely use the bedroom and shut the door to give you and the kids privacy.